When I think of Summer, I think of going to the beach, pool parties, and backyard BBQs. You need a bag that will get you through all of that. I found these colors of Sugar and Spice cotton yarn on Amazon as a pack! It was super convenient because sometimes I have a really hard time color matching, especially online. Even in stores, sometimes the fluorescent lights can alter the colors when you get them into the daylight. These colors definitely make me feel like I’m beach ready with all the things I will need for my beach day.
The drawstring-style backpack really takes me back to my roots. I’m not sure if everyone was forced to make a drawstring backpack like this as a first project in sewing class, or if it was just my middle school. (Do they even have home ec or sewing classes anymore?) But it’s a classic because it works! It’s super easy and it makes a super comfortable backpack.
I absolutely love the idea of the granny squares that make pockets. I feel like so many yarn craft projects skip out on the pockets, and they’re totally necessary since it’s so hard to find them on pants! (am I right?) (It’s getting better though!) I feel like it adds a bit of uniqueness to this piece which is otherwise a fairly run-of-the-mill crochet backpack. I used single crochet for the body of the back to really create a sturdy fabric for the piece. The cotton yarn also helped give the impression of sturdiness. I’m hoping this bag will last way past the summer months, and into many seasons to come.
Speaking of the yarn, look at that color pooling! Honestly, when I pictured how I wanted this bag to look, it was WAY different than it turned out. I had no idea the yarn would pool like that, I had more of a speckly pattern envisioned in my head, although I’m not disappointed! It really juxtaposes the color variety of the granny squares to give the bag a unique look. Does it kind of remind you of that ’90s paper cup pattern? (Aging myself again? 😅 That’s okay.)
As always I hope this bag inspires you to make your own creations with the free pattern listed below. I’m curious to see what the bag would look like with solid colors, or using the variegated yarn in different areas of the bag. I’m even curious to see what it might look like with different drawstrings. I picked this twill tape because it was cheap and easy, also the smoothness of the tape allows it to open and close easily. I might stay away from a crocheted strap like an icord or something (which was my original idea) as it would get stuck on the triple crochet yarn row made for the drawstring. Let me know what you think up!
Pattern:
Materials:
4 skeins of Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn
2 different solid colors
2 variegated colors
crochet hook size I or 5.5mm
tapestry needle
yarn scissors
5 yards of twill tape
sewing thread
sewing needle
fray check or clear nail polish
Color A: Light Solid or “Tangerine”
Color B: Dark Solid or “Teal”
Color C: Variegated Color or “Coral Seas”
Legend:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
st – stitch
rep – repeat
sp – space
sl st – slip stitch
flo – front loop only
tr – treble crochet (aka triple crochet)
Instructions:
Granny Squares: (Make 2)
In Color B: Ch 3, 2dc in 1st ch, [ch 2, 3 dc in 1st st] rep 3 times
In Color A: Insert in any ch 2 sp, and work in ch 2 spaces: ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, in next ch sp: [3 dc, ch 2, 3dc, ch 1] rep 2 times, sl st to first st to join
In Color B: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
In Color A: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
In Color B: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
Granny Squares: (Make 2)
In Color A: Ch 3, 2dc in 1st ch, [ch 2, 3 dc in 1st st] rep 3 times
In Color B: Insert in any ch 2 sp, and work in ch 2 spaces: ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, in next ch sp: [3 dc, ch 2, 3dc, ch 1] rep 2 times, sl st to first st to join
In Color C: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
In Color C: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
In Color A: Insert in any ch 2 sp, In ch 2 space: ch 2, 2dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, [in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 1 space: 3dc, ch 1, in ch 2 space: 3dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] repeat 2 times, sl st to 1st st to join
Join Granny Squares:
sc join together each side of the granny squares to form a tube
Base of Backpack:
In color A:
magic circle, ch 2, sc 6 (for foundation of 7)
Round 1: Ch 2, sc 6 (for foundation round of 7), sl st to join {7}
Round 2: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, 2sc in each st around, sl st to join {14}
Round 3: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [1 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 1, sl st to join {21}
Round 4: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [2 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 2, sl st to join {28}
Round 5: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [3 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 3, sl st to join {35}
Round 6: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [4 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 4, sl st to join {42}
Round 7: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [5 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 5, sl st to join {49}
Round 8: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [6 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 6, sl st to join {56}
Round 9: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [7 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 7, sl st to join {63}
Round 10: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [8 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 8, sl st to join {70}
Round 11: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [9 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 9, sl st to join {77}
Round 12: Ch 2, sc in same ch st, [10 sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times, sc 10, sl st to join {84}
Connecting Base of Backpack to Granny Square Tube:
join granny square tube to base, right sides together
sc flo join in each st around
leaving right sides together, continue to sc in rounds into base circle using color C until desired length or “40” rounds
It should look like this:
Create Space for Strap:
change to color B, tr in all st around
Create top of bag:
switch back to color C, sc in all st’s for 3 more rounds.
Sewing pockets:
Using yarn and a tapestry needle, use a running stitch to sew the single crochet rows that are used to connect the granny squares to the body of the backpack, this creates the pockets.
To make Straps:
Cut twill tape in half
apply fray check or clear nail polish to the ends of the twill tape, and let dry.
beginning at the side; weave twill tape in and out of treble crochet opening every 4 stitches until you meet the beginning
on the other side of the project, do the same weaving twill tape in and out of the same 4 stitches.
Pull straps so that it’s even on both ends.
with a sewing needle and thread, sew the ends of both straps together and then sew behind the middle granny square cluster on the bottom of the bag
repeat on the other side
thegrandmaprints.com 